Union still seek their first MLS win following Saturday night setback against San Jose
Through three games in their MLS campaign, the Union have yet to score a goal from open play. Next up, round-of-16 play in the Concacaf Champions Cup against Mexico's Club Ameríca on Tuesday.
The Union are still searching for their first points of the 2026 Major League Soccer season after suffering a 1-0 defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes at Subaru Park on Saturday night.
San Jose’s Ousseni Bouda scored the match’s only goal in the 59th minute.
He was assisted by Timo Werner, the former Premier League and Bundesliga star, whom San Jose (3-0-0, nine points) signed in January. Werner entered the game as a substitute at halftime and logged his second goal contribution in two games with San Jose.
The Union (0-3-0, 0 points) recorded one shot on goal in the first half, a 45th-minute attempt from Indiana Vassilev inside the 18-yard box. San Jose goalkeeper Daniel palmed the shot out for a Union corner.
The Union outshot San Jose, 5-4, in the first half, but Vassilev’s attempt was the only shot that forced Daniel into action. Andre Blake finished the first half with two saves.
The first half featured two yellow-card cautions, one to each team. San Jose’s Benji Kikanovic was shown a yellow for a tackle on Milan Iloski in the 15th minute, while Jovan Lukić was cautioned for a tactical foul in the 20th.
Both teams made attacking substitutions after halftime. San Jose coach Bruce Arena switched Jamar Ricketts for Werner. Bradley Carnell swapped the Union’s new strikers, bringing on Ezekiel Alladoh for Agustín Anello.
Nathan Harriel nearly put the Union on top with a header at the back post on a free kick in the 46th minute, but Daniel made the save.
“I thought the boys did an excellent job, bar the goal that we conceded,” Carnell said. “We came out flying. We were very dominant in the first half. We had a massive chance at the start of the second half. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get over the line, again.”
Werner was instrumental in San Jose’s breakthrough, playing Bouda through on goal in the 59th minute. Bouda sprinted past left back Giovanny Sequera and placed a right-footed shot past Blake to put the Earthquakes up, 1-0.
Carnell made his second change of the night in the 60th minute, bringing on Jesus Bueno for Jovan Lukić.
Harriel, who started at center back with Olwethu Makhanya serving a one-game red card suspension, earned a yellow card in the 65th for a tackle on Werner.
Carnell made a pair of substitutions in the 74th minute, bringing Alejandro Bedoya on for Milan Iloski and Stas Korzeniowski for Bruno Damiani.
Ben Bender entered the game in the 82nd minute, replacing Sequera at left back. Union academy alumni Jack Skahan entered the game for San Jose in the 82nd, replacing Preston Judd.
Alladoh was issued a yellow card in the 88th minute as the Union tried to find an equalizer.
The Union outshot San Jose, 13-7, and earned 11 corners throughout the match. Through three games in their MLS campaign, the Union have yet to score a goal from open play.
"It’s not only one reason why we are struggling [with] scoring," Damiani said. “Today, in the first half, I think we really deserved a goal. It’s just about details. We need to improve.”
Up next
Mexican giants Club América will be in town in the first of a two-game Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 series at Subaru Park on Tuesday (7 p.m., FS2).
The Union’s next MLS match will on the road against Atlanta United in a midafternoon game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday (3:15 p.m., FOX, Apple TV).